Flying to the U.S. from Mexico and Canada with additional security screenings

Anyone flying to the United States from the nation’s immediate neighbors — Mexico and Canada — will have to go through a new ream of security measures, as of Wednesday.

Both WestJet and AirCanada have posted travel advisories warning customers to arrive at airports earlier to accommodate more time for security screenings. The advisories come in response to new enhanced screenings for travelers from Mexico and Canada, implemented by the Department of Homeland Security.
“WestJet strongly encourages you to arrive at the airport a minimum of two hours prior to your scheduled departure, to allow for additional screening time and ensure you don’t miss your flight,” the airline wrote.

AirCanada echoed the sentiment in a similar advisory posted on their website.

The new measures sound a lot like the vague restrictions passengers flying from Middle Eastern international air travel hubs are already experiencing, such as:

Heightened screening of personal electronic devices.

More canine screenings, and the use of “advanced technology.”

“Increased security protocols” around planes and “passenger areas.”

And, in general, some extra “overall passenger screening.”

However, unlike passengers traveling from several Middle Eastern countries, passengers flying from Mexico and Canada weren’t first subjected to a ban on carrying laptops and other electronic devices onboard before this new round of restrictions rolled out.

Still, for travelers from Mexico and Canada, laptops and other electronic devices will now be subject to extra screening. Passengers will have to keep them separate from other luggage so officials can get to them easily.

Stories like this one are likely to keep popping up in news cycles, as the U.S. plans to get nations around the globe to agree to extra screening. So if you’ve got a trip to the U.S. coming up, keep your eyes peeled.

Just one day after it was revealed that Apple had removed virtual private networking (VPN) apps from its China App Store at the behest of the government, we’ve learned that officials in Russia are cracking down on VPN services, too.